Organisation unifying the entirety of Indian Central Government Employees and Workers on a single platform of struggle and advance.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

PIB PRESS
RELEASE

Cabinet
approves Revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks
(GDS) of the Department of Posts

Posted On: 06 JUN 2018 3:16PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Cabinet chaired by
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the revision in the wage
structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts.
The revision in the wage structure would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs
1257.75 crore (Non recurring expenditure - Rs 860.95 crore and Recurring
expenditure of Rs.396.80 crore) during 2018 -19.

3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will be benefitted by this wage
revision.

Details:

i.Time Related
Continuity allowance (TRCA) structure and slabs have been rationalised.
The total GDSs have been brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters
(BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters namely Assistant Branch Postmaster
(ABPMs).

ii.The present 11
TRCA slabs will be merged into only three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs
and other than BPMs.

iii.Introduction of
new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) will be as below:

Minimum TRCA of two types of proposed
categories of GDSs as per working hours / levels

S.No.

Category

Minimum TRCA for 4 Hours / Level 1

Minimum TRCA for 5 Hours / Level 2

1

BPM

Rs. 12000/-

Rs. 14500/-

2

ABPM/Dak Sevaks

Rs. 10000/-

Rs. 12000/-

Dearness Allowance will continue
to be paid as a separate component, and also revised from time to time
whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.

It is decided to continue the
calculation of the ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of
Rs.7000 as basic TRCA + DA till such time a new scheme is devised.

Arrears for the period 1.1.2016
to the date of implementation will be paid by increasing the basic TRCA
drawn during the period by a factor of 2.57. The arrears will be paid in
one instalment.

vii. Annual
increase at the rate of 3% and the same may be given on 1st January or 1st July
of every year as the case may be based on the one time written request of GDSs.

The revision would result in improving the
wages, allowances and discharge benefits of Gramin Dak Sevaks resulting in
providing efficient & cost-effective basic postal facilities in the rural
area. The proposed increased emoluments will enable him to improve his
socio-economic standing.

Impact:

The Branch Post Offices are the fulcrum for
provision of Communications and financial services in the village and are
located in remote areas. The Post Master has to deal with large sums while
making payments to customers; hence accountability is already built into his
work. The enhanced remuneration will increase the sense of responsibility.
Moreover, with the roll out of the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the CDS
network is expected to play a key role in the process of financial inclusion of
the rural population.

Background:

The Extra Departmental system in the
Department of Posts was established more than150 years ago to provide basic,
economical and efficient postal services in the rural areas where there was no
justification for engaging full time regular employees. One Lakh Twenty-Nine
Thousand Three Hundred forty-six (1,29,346) Extra-departmental Branch post
offices are primarily manned by Gramin Dak Sevak Branch Postmasters. In
addition, Gramin Dak Sevaks other than Branch Postmasters are also working in
Branch, Sub and Head Post offices. The main features of the engagement of
Gramin Dak Sevaks are that they work for part time ranging from 3 to 5 hours
per day and supplement their income from other vocations so as to have adequate
means of livelihood for themselves and their families. They remain in service
up to the age of 65 years.